Published: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 11:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 11:36 p.m.

For “Under the Dome” filmmakers in Wilmington, bringing drama to life was a relatively routine task during a special effects scene staged at Wallace Park on Wednesday.

At the TV series' set, which was built to resemble other homes in the Metts Avenue neighborhood, location scouts, set designers, construction crews and special effects coordinators with the locally filmed series readied themselves for a job they've worked weeks to prepare for: to safely burn a home to the ground.

At least, that's what it will look like.

“They have props that look kind of like pipe bombs – propane tanks that are wrapped up. They explode and throw a lot of flame, but it's contained,” Wilmington Fire Department Capt. Jack Jarvis said. “It's pretty interesting how it's done and it looks amazing. It's all part of the movie magic.”

During the two-day shoot Wednesday and Thursday, Jarvis, four other firefighters and Wilmington Police Department officers hired by the production would be on hand to oversee the controlled burn, which includes the use of at least five fire boxes and several camping-style propane tanks, Jarvis said.

The metal containers – or fire boxes – keep the blaze at bay while crews film the flames as they burst from the set's windows. Balsa wood and cork create the illusion of embers and debris, he said.

The show, which is based on a best-selling Stephen King novel, is set in Chester's Mill, Maine, a small town that is suddenly shut off from the world by a massive transparent dome. In this week's scene, the blaze engulfs Police Chief Howard “Duke” Perkins' home before it's extinguished by neighbors.

On Wednesday, smoke lingered near Barnett Avenue while flames periodically shot from the empty, beige-colored bungalow-style set. Background actors scurried to and fro along the street with water while cast members Dean Norris and Rachelle Lefevre were spotted nearby.

“I think today is more the lead up when they first discover it's on fire and there's no one there to put it out. There's no fire department – they're stuck outside the dome – so neighbors have to act as firefighters,” Jarvis said. “They've done a few little burns here and there so far today, but they're planning an explosion and more fire for later.”

Some of those who live near the park say they're becoming accustomed to the local film industry's comings and goings in the neighborhood.

A handful of local productions including “The Conjuring,” “Safe Haven” and “Revolution” have filmed in the neighborhood in the past year, according to Wilmington film permits.

“My alarm clock this morning was semi trucks coming up the street at 6 a.m.,” said Donna Stamm, who lives on 22nd Street near the park. “I came down to check the house out the day before yesterday – they put it together pretty fast and it looks beautiful.”

Despite the early morning wake-up call, Stamm, a cosmetologist and stylist who has worked on local productions in the past, said she'll show her support for the industry in any way she can.

“I'm excited about any kind of show or movie that comes to town,” she said. “I'm happy that we can sustain the business.”

The shoot is one of several in the region so far for the TV drama, which began filming in February. The 13-episode series premieres June 24 on CBS.

<p>For “Under the Dome” filmmakers in Wilmington, bringing drama to life was a relatively routine task during a special effects scene staged at Wallace Park on Wednesday.</p><p>At the TV series' set, which was built to resemble other homes in the Metts Avenue neighborhood, location scouts, set designers, construction crews and special effects coordinators with the locally filmed series readied themselves for a job they've worked weeks to prepare for: to safely burn a home to the ground. </p><p>At least, that's what it will look like.</p><p>“They have props that look kind of like pipe bombs – propane tanks that are wrapped up. They explode and throw a lot of flame, but it's contained,” Wilmington Fire Department Capt. Jack Jarvis said. “It's pretty interesting how it's done and it looks amazing. It's all part of the movie magic.”</p><p>During the two-day shoot Wednesday and Thursday, Jarvis, four other firefighters and Wilmington Police Department officers hired by the production would be on hand to oversee the controlled burn, which includes the use of at least five fire boxes and several camping-style propane tanks, Jarvis said.</p><p>The metal containers – or fire boxes – keep the blaze at bay while crews film the flames as they burst from the set's windows. Balsa wood and cork create the illusion of embers and debris, he said.</p><p>The show, which is based on a best-selling Stephen King novel, is set in Chester's Mill, Maine, a small town that is suddenly shut off from the world by a massive transparent dome. In this week's scene, the blaze engulfs Police Chief Howard “Duke” Perkins' home before it's extinguished by neighbors.</p><p>On Wednesday, smoke lingered near Barnett Avenue while flames periodically shot from the empty, beige-colored bungalow-style set. Background actors scurried to and fro along the street with water while cast members Dean Norris and Rachelle Lefevre were spotted nearby. </p><p>“I think today is more the lead up when they first discover it's on fire and there's no one there to put it out. There's no fire department – they're stuck outside the dome – so neighbors have to act as firefighters,” Jarvis said. “They've done a few little burns here and there so far today, but they're planning an explosion and more fire for later.”</p><p>Some of those who live near the park say they're becoming accustomed to the local film industry's comings and goings in the neighborhood.</p><p>A handful of local productions including “The Conjuring,” “Safe Haven” and “Revolution” have filmed in the neighborhood in the past year, according to Wilmington film permits.</p><p>“My alarm clock this morning was semi trucks coming up the street at 6 a.m.,” said Donna Stamm, who lives on 22nd Street near the park. “I came down to check the house out the day before yesterday – they put it together pretty fast and it looks beautiful.”</p><p>Despite the early morning wake-up call, Stamm, a cosmetologist and stylist who has worked on local productions in the past, said she'll show her support for the industry in any way she can.</p><p>“I'm excited about any kind of show or movie that comes to town,” she said. “I'm happy that we can sustain the business.”</p><p>The shoot is one of several in the region so far for the TV drama, which began filming in February. The 13-episode series premieres June 24 on CBS.</p><p>Cassie Foss: 343-2365</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @WilmOnFilm</p>